Slowing down???

On July 9, I wrote that July was for slowing down... This did not really happen. I just looked back at the previous three weeks and my head is spinning. During my dermatology visit on the 9th, I found out that I have a basal cell ca on my back, which they will excise some time in the future. It fortunately is not worrisome, but needs to be dealt with in any case. The cutting is scheduled for September.

On the 13th we got a new kitchen counter. It really looks beautiful, but we had to clean out our cabinets, or contend with saw dust. So, Tuesday, after volunteering at the VA all day, we emptied our lower cupboards. Wednesday after the new counter was installed, we also put our stuff back. We did get rid of some of the items we had not used for a long time. So we have some more space as well.



After that we relocated the furniture on the loft, primarily into the guest bedroom, to prepare the loft and the stairs for new carpet. We had done done some of that earlier in the week as well. Surprising how much small stuff accumulates, and how much is really useful and necessary.
We did get both the kitchen and the loft, back into shape before Thursday night, when we entertained dinner guests.



Then we dog-sat our grand doggy. Our kids from West Des Moines had sold their house and were moving over the weekend. On Monday we helped with clean up and moving some fragile items. I rode the motor bike and my thermometer registered the outside temperature at 101. I wore my helmet and gloves after that, but tucked my armored coat away.
We kept the dog until mid week. This requires us to take her for walks, she likes more walks than we do. It was hot most of July, so the walks were more like a chore, particularly in the heat.




Nice get-togethers and some needed shopping trips filled the next few days. We did enjoy a really nice long motor bike ride on Monday, the 25th. Board meeting, dinner guests, overnight guests and a dental check-up finished the month.

In August, September, and October we have trips planned. I guess we rest when we can, and slow down between activities to play catch-up.

Summer fun (4)

dad and daughter on the scooter

Corrie & Rick on the road (crossing I-80/35)



Our birthdays came and went. Although we are now almost old, yet we still have lots of fun enjoying life, and this summer. For Corrie’s birthday our kids surprised us with a great motor cycle ride and dinner at a close friend’s house.









The summer has been absolutely great; we had little rain and many warm sunny days. Not too much heat and humidity, just great. We have gone on many trail rides on our bicycles and enjoyed seeing the local wild life. Cotton tail rabbits galore, and the ubiquitous ground squirrels of course, but we have also feasted our eyes on deer.






One morning we saw an adult doe with five fawn. They still had their spots. The were not afraid of us at all. Three crossed the trail ahead of us but two decided to give us a closer look. The reason I don’t have a picture is that I did not want to disturb this beautiful moment.

I am still “practicing” for my motor cycle licence, but plan to stop practicing in the near future - should be able to pass the test. Summer is winding down and we look forward to the planned mission trips coming up at the end of September.

SUMMER FUN (2)

Over 10.000 bicycle riders are again riding across Iowa this week. The 37th year for this annual trek. It is called RAGBRAI which is an acronym based on the origin of this ride: Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. “The Register” is the Des Moines’ newspaper. You could find out much more by going to the website (http://ragbrai.com/)

This is the second time that our children, Monique and Rick, are riding the whole route. The first time was a year after Rick’s back surgery for spina bifida and also to commemorate their uncle Eddy Kamstra. Eddie was an avid biker in the Netherlands; although he had lost his right leg to cancer, he rode many miles for pure enjoyment and challenge. Many times he would ride to raise cancer awareness and to raise funds for cancer research. He planned to ride in 2007 with Rick and Monique as part of their team, but cancer got him first, Eddy died in January 2007.



Last year his wife, my sister, was here for an extended visit from the Netherlands and she got to see and greet RAGBRAI riders in Ames, Iowa.






This year I was enticed to ride a few miles, into Indianola, on July 21. If I want to do more, I would definitely have to get in much better shape. Yet, it was great to see all ages of people and all kinds of bicycles pass by us as we were waiting to join the team for the last stretch. As at the previous time, Duane and Evie Elgersma provided support for the team. We all shared a delicious diner at the end of the ride on Tuesday.

Bicycling here

Corrie and I enjoy riding our bikes in the local area
Here are just a few pictures of the thing we encounter right here in the city
An old Rail Road bridge now brings bikers to the other side of the Des Moines river





During the flood, there was no biking here,
but we now have open trails again:
Although some times we may get wet feet,particularly if you ride through deep puddles, which may remain after a rain storm.

There are many trails in our area and we sometimes go for a whole day enjoying as much as 40 miles of local beauty